Springfield's annual Rays of Hope event raised funds for breast cancer care, highlighting racial disparities and early detection.

Springfield is hosting its 32nd annual Rays of Hope Walk & Run on Sunday to support breast cancer care, research, and patient services, raising over $17 million since its founding. The event, starting at Temple Beth El, includes a 5K run and walk, with proceeds funding local treatment, outreach, and the Rays of Hope Center. City leaders, including Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, joined the observance, wearing pink and highlighting personal connections to the disease. Concerns were raised about racial disparities in cancer outcomes, with Black women facing a 38% higher mortality rate. Early detection and community support remain key focuses.